Any technique requires special care. Sometimes we don’t notice how we install too many resource-intensive programs on a laptop, without taking into account the capabilities of the device. Because of this, various kinds of failures begin to occur and errors appear. And we are in a hurry trying to find out how to remove everything from the laptop.
For what?
Why deal with how to remove everything from a laptop? First, it’s important that there are no third-party programs on the device. It may happen that some of them start to slow down the system or load malicious content. In this case, you will have to erase everything that is, including personal data that can also be infected.
Secondly, often before selling, users are looking for how to remove everything from the laptop so that information does not reach third parties. In this case, preparation for the sale of the device may take a couple of minutes or several hours. It all depends on which cleaning option you choose.
Thirdly, suppose you want to free up space for a new job or project, and you don’t need any old files. Then a complete deletion of all data will help prepare the device.
Work with personal disks
So, how to delete all personal data from a laptop? It all depends on where you have them. Typically, users share a hard drive into several volumes, one of which can store personal files, and the other will contain system data. If all the information is not stored on the system drive, then deleting it is the easiest.
Open "My Computer" and click on the disk on which your files are hidden. You need to right-click on it. In the list, select "Format". A new dialog box opens. Here you need to verify that the NTFS file system is selected. After that you can start the uninstall process.
The same process can be done using the command line. To call it, you need to click "Start" and enter cmd in the search box without quotes. A new dialog box opens.
Here you need to use the format command (disk name) again without quotes. The drive name is the letter that originally designated the volume. After that, just press Enter to start formatting.
Work with the system drive
System drive files (C) typically contain operating system files. Many recommend not installing anything on it so as not to cause crashes and system errors. Nevertheless, inexperienced users can transfer their personal files here.
This option will also help remove Windows from the laptop. For this, it will not be possible to use the method described above. You will need to use a drive with a special utility, which will also contain the installation files for the new operating system.
How to remove Windows 7 from a laptop? You need to install a USB flash drive from the OS or a disk into the laptop, then select the device reboot. When he shows the start screen saver, you need to click on "F8". A window appears in which you need to select a bootable drive.
After that, the installation of the system will begin. In the next window, you need to select the interface language, and then go to the window with the disk settings. Here you will see how the memory is divided into several volumes. One of them is a system one, 100 MB of which is occupied by the OS. If you click on it and select “Format” at the bottom. Thus, you delete the system data.
Below will be other volumes that will also be filled with files. You need to take turns selecting each of them and formatting. After that you can continue to install the system.
Work with programs. Is it possible for everyone?
How to remove a program from a laptop? This is not the most difficult task for the user, but for some reason problems often occur. The fact is that some believe that removing the program icon from the desktop means completely removing the program. But you should understand that a shortcut is just the path to the folder in which the application is located.
You need to delete the program in other ways. For example, an application is listed in the Start menu. There it is displayed as a folder. You can open it: there is a startup file, as well as the delete option. But this option is not always effective.
The easiest way to remove the program will be from the "Programs and Features". To do this, go to "Start", select "Control Panel". If you see a tile from various programs in front of you, it is better to select the “Categories” view in the upper right corner. Below you will find the item "Uninstall programs."
A new dialog box opens, in which a list of all installed programs is displayed. To remove one of them, you need to select it and right-click. The list will contain the corresponding command. This method completely erases the application files.
Using software
Finally, third-party programs can be used to remove software. For example, CCleaner. This is a free program that can be installed on a PC. It’s easy to work with it, just wait until the software scans the system and collects the necessary data. After that, in the list, select the program and click "Delete." By the way, CCleaner also works with system optimization.
Partial deletion
How to delete files from a laptop on Windows 7? If you only need to partially clear the memory, you can use the built-in utility. It helps to get rid of unnecessary files, the remnants of remote programs, and more. You need to go to "My Computer", select the disk and right-click on it. Go to "Properties". In the "General" tab there is an option "Clean Disk", you need to run it.
In a new window, you will need to select sections that you do not need. It is better to get rid of temporary files and downloaded program files.
You can also delete folders manually. To do this, go to the disc with personal data, select the ones that are not needed. If there are a lot of them, you can select them and click RMB, choosing “Delete”.
System optimization
How to remove from a laptop on Windows 10 to optimize the system? In this case, you can use system programs or third-party utilities.
For example, to make the laptop work a little faster and more stable, you need to remove those programs that you no longer need. How to do this, you already know.
Also clear “Startup”. What it is? This is an option due to which immediately after the system starts, those programs that you set open. Sometimes this list includes utilities that are unnecessary for you, which only take up the load time of the laptop. How to remove them?
To do this, use the msconfig command (without quotes). To do this, go to the "Start" and enter it in the search bar. You can also use it in the Run window, which is launched by Win + R.
The "System Configuration" window opens. Here you need to select the "Startup" tab. You will notice that there is a certain list of programs. Those next to a check mark start immediately after turning on the system. Remove unnecessary Torrent, Skype, and more.
You can also check the disk for errors in operation and delete them. To do this, go to "My Computer", RMB select the "Properties" of the disk. In the "Service" tab, you can check the device for errors. This sometimes saves from many problems with loads and lags. You can defragment below. It allows you to structure files so that the system gets uninterrupted access to clusters.
Difficulties
What if one of the programs cannot be deleted? To do this, you need to use special software. He acts more aggressively and can fetch all the program data to delete it.
For example, you can use Soft Organizer. The utility can be installed for free from the Internet. After starting, you must wait until it collects data about the system. In the list of programs, select the one we don’t need and click “Delete”. As you can see, Soft Organizer works the same way as the system version, but it works according to a different algorithm that can help deal with the removal of annoying software.
But what if this option also does not help get rid of the program? It remains to think about reinstalling Windows. Remember that in this case you will have to format all partitions so that not a single file is left on the hard drive. Only after that it will be possible to install the operating system on a cleaned disk.